Ahoy Matey!

This week is Spirit Week/Red Ribbon Week at school. 
Today was Pirate Day!

Bob made my hat for me!  I had the best one, cuz' it was made with love!!

A perfect Friday night . . .

So, Bob and I have our first weekend off together, since I think when we went to Seattle in April.  It's pretty darn nice . . . we are having my favorite Friday night meal . . .

and my favorite Friday night snack . . .

watchin' Law and Order reruns with my favorite man.

Our Alaska Day

Today was the first day in a couple of weeks that Bob and I actually had some time together.  He has had Mondays and Tuesdays off.  This usually happens once a year and it's always a ruff time for us.  But today we got to spend it together.  After sleeping in a bit, we lounged around and then headed to the grocery store to have enough time before to get home before the baseball game.  We picked up a bunch of sunflowers, they always remind me of my MandaGirl.

We also bought a bunch of fruit, we always do, but lately I have been on an apple kick, not the same apples, a couple of as many types as I can find at Fred's. . .

The we cleaned house, did laundry, and packed lunches for the week.  We also brought in our Hosta, we figured that it has earned a place inside for the winter.  Last winer we put the pot and Hosta in the outside storage and when we opened it up this Spring the Hosta was a foot tall and stark white, it had not only survived the winter, but had grown!  So this winter we will see how it does inside.

I also learned today that my Gram reads our blog!  I have been thinking that I needed to do better at blogging.  I love you Gram, thanks for the chat tonight, I miss you all the time.

Now we are enjoying white cheddar popcorn and some spooky old-school Halloween movies.  What a good day . . .

"Red Dog" Weekend in Seattle

I was in Seattle this weekend, participating in the process of buying new product for the gift shops for next season.  I admit that it was kind of cool to see all the styles and be in on what we purchased, but I also enjoyed . . .

 . . . taken Mr. Bear along, he hasn't missed a trip yet!

 . . . enjoying a Wendy's Single and a Frosty . . .

  . . . while staring at sunny skies . . .

  . . . my nice big hotel room . . .

 

. . . and the sleep number bed . . .

. . . all snugly, comfy and cozy . . .

 . . . enjoying some bbq and a sauce tour at Famous Dave's . . .

. . . relaxing in the sun at a local park (this tree was perfect to lean against, curved right out) . . .

 . . . and taking in the view . . .

 . . . there was a bit of shopping, but just a little,

like this vintage tee for Bob from Old Navy . . .

 . . . a few scrapbooking items from JoAnn's Etc. . .

 . . . and a couple pair of holiday socks. . .

. . . and then there was Target, I just love to browse around.  I came home with a new shower curtain (only $14.99!)  and a few other little items . . .

It was a nice little getaway, loved all the warm and sunshine.

GSE Weekend

This weekend was my GSE selection weekend and I spent it with some pretty remarkable people.  I was so nervous, but was put at ease.  Everyone was so kind and I had a wonderful time.  I even cooked!  Imagine!!

Friday Night . . . we all meet and had dinner.  It was pretty neat meeting everyone and listening to the Rotary members stories.  Part of our District is in Russia, so their stories about traveling to and from, were pretty entertaining.  I also meet all of the other GSE applicants and they all seem down to earth.  We had some nice conversations and it was good to meet everyone.  They also told us that tomorrow night we have to cook - are you kidding me, ya all know I don't cook!  They told us that the secret ingredients are a moose roast and some smoked salmon, it sounded like there were some good ideas on how to prepare it.

Me ready for dinner

Me ready for dinner with my sweater 

Saturday . . . After a day of learning about Rotary and presenting our Power Points, which I was pretty nervous about, but I did it!, we also went shopping for our dinner items. 

Devon with the secret ingredients - moose roast

Carrying the groceries up the drive

All of us preparing the feast

Thomas with the moose roast which was taken down by the 11 year old granddaughter of Mike and Peggy from the selection committee.

Me helping with the salad - it was yummy!

A full kitchen

The feast

 Beef Stroganoff

Dinner preparations

The Chocolate Moose (delicious Kate!) brigade

Time to do dishes . . .

After dinner . . . we took the "out of towners" for a night tour of the Capital City . . .

Devon at the Capital

At the Red Dog (aka The Dog) taken the tourist pic . . .

A few drinks at "The Dog" . . .

Cheers!

Sunday Morning . . .this morning we meet with Dora, who will be the Team leader, then we departed . . .

Bob forgot to mention that he had reset the alarm for 5:45 am, instead of 5 am, so the result was me drying my hair at Coastal.

Departing from the hotel . . . the candidates then went to the Glacier

The GSE Candidates at the Mendenhall Glacier

It was a pretty remarkable weekend.  I am glad that I had this opportunity, that's what this "Alaska Life" is, seizing the moments . . .

Time for a change

With the new season, I thought it was time for a change.  Hope you enjoy the new layout, fall is my favorite time of year.  MJ

False Outer Point

This afternoon we went out to False Outer Point so Bob could do some fishing and I did a bit of studying.  It ended up being very warm and sunny. 

False Outer Point.  If you look closely, you'll see Bob fishing.

My study spot, complete with a stump for a desk.

My view.

Dupont Trail

Monday and Tuesday are mine and Bob's weekend.  Today when we woke up it was sunny and warm out.  Normally we head out the road, but since I had to work for a few hours this afternoon, we headed out Thane Road.  Here's Bob at the first waterfall on the trail.

 The view.

Bob hauling in his catch.

 Dupont Dock

Bob's fishing spot.

Relaxing on the beach.

Where we would love to live, in the shack.

Us.